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Classes are designed to challenge your thinking and develop your professional skills. You’ll leave each class with a unique set of tools to approach new communications challenges.

Tailor your experience to your career goals by focusing on one of eight areas of specialization. Use the search widget below to sort classes by quarter, specialization, instructor and degree track for each quarter. Get a comprehensive view of the full academic year in our Course Guide.

View the University of Washington Academic Calendar for important dates, including quarter start and end dates, registration dates and deadlines, and campus holidays.

Registration numbers (SLNs) are located on the Time Schedule. Please read the Department’s statement on internet resource requirements for access to courses.

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COMMLD 540A/B: Professional Longform Writing & Platforms

(

Crofts

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- 2023-2024 | Winter 2024

Track Neutral | Meets Professional Writing Requirement (3 or 5 credit) or Research Methods Requirement (5 Credit) | 3 or 5 Credits | CMU 126
Sundays 1/7, 1/21, 2/4, 9:00am – 5:00pm | 3-credit section 540A | Registration SLN: 12632
Sundays 1/7, 1/21, 2/4, 2/18, 3/3, 9:00am – 5:00pm | 5-credit section 540B | Registration SLN: 12633

Please note: 540A is 3 credits, and 540B is 5 credits. These courses will run concurrently. Students registered for 540A (3 credits) will attend the first three dates, and students registered for 540B (5 credits) will attend all five dates.

Course Description:

Have you ever read an in-depth piece online that so moved you or shifted your thinking that you immediately sent it on to a friend or colleague? The “long-form” medium offers the writer ample space for synthesis, critique, and personal stories to capture the imagination, change the conversation, and inspire action. With a broad selection of writers, leaders, and cultural commentators as curricular guides, this course invites each student to hone their long-form professional writing skills (>1000 words) and deepen their understanding of the current professional communication long-form landscape. With scaffolded steps to refine their writing voice and scope, this course serves both students with writing experience, as well as those keen to develop this foundational skill. In addition, we will consider the evolution of platforms, from colonial-era pamphlets to today’s crowded community of digital newsletters, hosted by the likes of Substack, Mailchimp, or Ghost.

3-credit class Meets Professional Writing Requirement.

5-credit class meets either Research Methods or Professional Writing requirement. Class cannot be used to meet both requirements.

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COMMLD 540D: Human-Centered, AI-Augmented Internal Communications

(

Abplanalp

)

- 2023-2024 | Winter 2024

Track Neutral | 5 Credits
Tuesdays 1/9 – 3/5, 6:00PM – 9:50PM | DEN 213
Registration SLN: 12635

Course Description:

This course explores the intersection of internal communications and artificial intelligence (AI) with an emphasis on human-centricity and organizational culture. Topics will focus on organizational brand, leadership and voice; automation tools and techniques; pitfalls of artificial intelligence; and considerations for diversity, equity, and inclusion, anti-racism, and accessibility.

Students will examine the impact of AI on internal communications practices and strategies within organizations, including integration of AI technologies in communication development and its implications for leadership and decision-making. Students will also develop strength as human-centered, AI-augmented internal communicators, enhancing workflows and sharpening editorial acumen and critical thinking. Each week, students will engage in case study discussions to analyze real-world scenarios and explore the application of AI in different aspects of internal communications.

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COMMLD 540F: Health Communications

(

Sandine

)

- 2023-2024 | Winter 2024

Track Neutral | Meets Law & Ethics Requirement | 5 Credits
Thursdays 1/4 – 3/7, 6:00pm – 9:50pm | CMU 126
Registration SLN: 22249

Course Description

“Communicating the data” and “following the science” are inadequate if real people’s needs, behaviors, and values are not well understood and centered in our health policies and messages. In this course, students will deepen their knowledge of health equity, population health, and the determinants that impact health in the systems and environments we live in and rely on. At the same time, we will explore how mis- and dis-information, medical mistrust and hesitancy, and the influences of mass media shape and control narratives that have enormous impact on people’s lives.

This course is designed for students working both in health communications and outside of the health sector. We will explore health communication practices and engagement methods like crisis and risk communications, health literacy and promotion, and strategic communications. Activities and assignments will be designed to help communication leaders build practical skills, such as developing briefings and op-eds, facilitating discussions, and creating crisis comms plans. 

Meets Law & Ethics Requirement.

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COMMLD 560A: Inclusive Design & Product Equity

(

Liu

)

- 2023-2024 | Winter 2024

Track Neutral | Meets Law & Ethics Requirement | 5 Credits
Tuesdays 1/9 – 3/5, 6:00PM – 9:50PM | CMU 126
Registration SLN: 22247

Course Description:

This course offers a comprehensive exploration of the critical intersection between Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) and technology. In an era where technology such as artificial intelligence and machine learning plays an ever-expanding role in shaping our world, we should interrogate who gets to build it, use it, and profit from it. As future technology leaders it is imperative to not only be well versed in DEI but to create necessary solutions that democratize technology rather than allow it to perpetuate systems of inequality.

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COMMLD 570A: Stakeholder Mindset and Communication

(

Howard

)

- 2023-2024 | Winter 2024

Track Neutral | 3 Credits
Wednesdays 1/3 – 3/6, 6:00pm – 8:20pm | DEN 212
Registration SLN: 12640

Course Description:

In August 2019, the Business Roundtable, a group of 181 CEOs from the largest corporations in the world, created, signed, and distributed  a formal document, “Statement on the Purpose of a Corporation.” This communication stated that this group was committed to leading their companies for the benefit of all stakeholders — shareholders, communities, employees, suppliers, and customers. 

In this course, we’ll examine this diverse set of stakeholders and take a closer look at how they interact with corporate leaders and each other internally and externally. What role will marketing communication professionals have in making companies’ messaging more stakeholder focused and inclusive going forward? 

From Elon Musk’s Twitter fiasco to the unexpected and unclear work policies at Amazon, we’ll examine why companies which do not support stakeholder theory lose value. And why the ones that do gain it.

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COMMLD 503A: Practicum: Building Community Through Livestreaming

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- 2026-2027 | Winter 2027

Open Elective | 2 Credits
Mondays 1/4 – 3/8, 6:00pm – 8:20pm | Room on Time Schedule

Course Description:

In this course, students will learn what it takes to design, plan, and oversee professional live streaming projects. We will explore the difference between live streaming as traditional event coverage or “virtual events” versus the conversational, community-focused approach of creators on platforms like Twitch, YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok.

By experimenting with strategies that invite participation and make audiences feel seen and heard, students will design and produce individual and team-led live streams that support broader communications strategies for real brands and organizations. Students will leave this practicum with a strong foundation to lead live stream projects in real-world settings, with principles relevant for everything from simple webcam setups to large-scale productions with professional crews and equipment.

Note: This is not a video production course. The focus is on content design and project leadership for marketing and communications professionals, using accessible, web-based tools that are easy to adopt in any communications role.

About Communication and Leadership Practicum:
Communication and Leadership Practicum courses can be taken at any time in your Comm Lead Journey. They give you the opportunity to engage in contemporary professional practice by addressing the challenges of real-life organizations. Each section is matched with a client organization or group of client organizations, and focuses on a distinct professional skill or practice that is deemed essential across a variety of professional fields. 

Designed to mirror a professional setting, our Practicum offer you the opportunity to work at a higher level and with greater responsibility than what you might encounter in an internship or in entry-level work. In the span of a quarter, you will enhance highly-desirable professional skills, produce work that you can include in your own professional portfolios, and most importantly, leave with a story–your story – of what you did in this project to create value for your client.

Credit/No Credit Only

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COMMLD 591: Independent Research

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- 2024-2025 | Spring 2025 | Summer 2025

Track Neutral | 1-5 Credits
Application Required

Course Description:

Independent Research projects are student-driven, with faculty serving in a loose advisory capacity. This option is for students with a clear project in mind who will only need minimal faculty support to accomplish their end goal. See complete details and application instructions on the Guide to Independent Research page.

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COMMLD 593: Internship

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- 2024-2025 | Spring 2025 | Summer 2025 | Winter 2025

Track Neutral | 1-5 Credits
Application Required

Course Description:

An internship can be a useful way to give students a fundamental understanding of the industry and to accelerate one’s career path. Internships should be directly relevant to the student’s field of study (degree or specialization). Part-time jobs not related to the degree will normally not be approved for internship credit, as the purpose of an internship is to apply what you have been learning in your degree to a real world work experience. See complete details and application instructions on the Guide to Internships page.

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COMMLD 600: MC Research Project

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- 2024-2025 | Spring 2025 | Summer 2025 | Winter 2025

Track Neutral | 5 Credits
Application Required

Course Description:

After completion of a minimum of 50% of Comm Lead course work, students can choose to conduct a scholarly research project. An MC Research Project is roughly the equivalent of a master’s thesis in scope and rigor, and requires the student form a committee of at least two faculty members to evaluate the work, as well as give a public presentation of the final deliverable. See complete details and application instructions on the Guide to MC Research Project page.

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COMMLD 510B: Introduction to UX Writing & Content Design

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- 2026-2027 | Winter 2027

Open Elective | Meets Professional Writing Requirement | 3 Credits
Tuesdays 1/5 – 3/9, 6:00pm – 8:20pm | Room on Time Schedule

Course Description

User Experience (UX) Writing involves the words used in a website, app, or other digital experience flow. The job of UX Writing is to make sure those words help make that experience simple, conversational, and easy to use. This course will use design thinking to guide you through solving complex UX issues using workshops, real-world examples, emerging AI tools and techniques, and creating your own unique UX writing flows and portfolio.

This class is a good match for students who:

• want to showcase UX writing flows in their UX portfolio

• are planning to pursue a career in the UX and/or marketing field

• want to gain team-based competencies aligned with industry practice

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COMMLD 510C: User Interface & Visual Design

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- 2026-2027 | Winter 2027

MCDM Elective | 5 Credits
Mondays 1/4 – 3/15, 6:00pm – 9:50pm | Room on Time Schedule

Course Description

Design encompasses a variety of interconnected concepts. User Interface Design (UI ) is concerned with how navigational components are organized  within a system interface to ensure the layout is intuitive and helps users achieve their goals. Visual Design emphasizes aesthetics and the strategic use of communication elements, such as images, colors, fonts, and other graphic components, to create visually appealing layouts that achieve a business purpose.

Some of the topics we’ll cover are research, mood board creation, testing, user flows, Figma essentials, component libraries, general layout and design, wireframing, prototyping, microcopy, and more. At the end of this course, students will know how to create impactful UI designs and have knowledge of the tools to bring designs to fruition.

This class is a good match for students who:

• want the fundamentals of human perception and cognition that inform effective interaction design;

• want to understand how UI and Visual Design complement each other;

• want to learn the essential steps, tools and knowledge that inform effective UI & Visual Design workflows

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COMMLD 515: Advanced User Design: Generative AI Studio

(

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- 2026-2027 | Winter 2027

MCDM Elective | Meets Research Methods Requirement | 5 Credits
Wednesdays 1/6 – 3/10, 6:00pm – 9:50pm | Room on Time Schedule

Course Description

In the Generative AI UX Studio course, students dive into the dynamic intersection of traditional experience design and artificial intelligence, mastering the tools and frameworks that are reshaping how humans interact with technology. Through intensive hands-on projects, students craft intelligent, adaptive experiences that push beyond conventional interfaces, learning to orchestrate seamless interactions between users and AI agents while maintaining essential human-centered design principles. Students develop expertise in the emerging field of agentic design, creating sophisticated agent personas and behavioral frameworks that define how AI systems perceive, reason, and act on behalf of users – skills that are increasingly crucial in modern digital product development.

Working in collaborative teams that mirror industry practice, students navigate the complex interplay between design, AI capabilities, and user trust, developing working prototypes that demonstrate real-world application of these advanced concepts. Upon completion, students emerge with compelling portfolio pieces that showcase their ability to design next-generation experiences where AI enhances rather than replaces human interaction, positioning them as leaders in this transformative wave of UX innovation.

Meets Research Methods Requirement.

Course Prerequisites: COMMLD 511, 512, or 517.

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COMMLD 520C: Market Research Approaches in the Age of AI

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- 2026-2027 | Winter 2027

MCDM Elective | Meets Research Methods Requirement | 5 Credits
Tuesdays 1/5 – 3/9, 6:00pm – 9:50pm | Room on Time Schedule

Course Description

Marketers are blind without research. From learning unmet needs, to shaping solutions, to setting prices and optimizing creatives, input from customers is how you go from good to great. The aim of this course is not to teach you sampling, statistics, and analytics, but rather to be an expert in knowing what research to resource when, what quality looks like, and how to persuade change. 

The instructors are two client-side researchers at Microsoft who do just that. Plan to learn about 20 different research approaches that the global market-research industry has grown to answer the most common questions, and that most marketers “buy rather than build.”  Know when to ask for an ethnography, a pricing model, a journey study, or a campaign effectiveness study, among many others, and to know what makes them good, what “money slides” each produces, and the typical moves in persuading change with the results. Get your hands dirty in class with all the work needed to do research other than the math (making stimuli, writing survey questions, designing logical paths, and visualizing data with the best art and storytelling) and explore with us how AI can speed up and streamline much of it. We will build the class around a hypothetical tech product “an AI privacy defender” and by the end of the class, we’ll know what research to ask our VC to fund to bring it to market. 

This class is a good match for students who:

• Know some fundamentals of marketing

• Want to create a pitch deck for venture capital funding of an incubation tech product

• Have little desire to do math, but want to wield its power

Meets Research Methods Requirement.

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COMMLD 520D: Product Marketing

(

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- 2026-2027 | Winter 2027

MCDM Elective | 5 Credits
Tuesdays 1/5 – 3/9, 6:00pm – 9:50pm | Room on Time Schedule

Course Description:

This course explores how modern organizations bring products to market by connecting customer insight, storytelling, and strategy. Students will learn the core functions of product marketing within technology and SaaS organizations and examine how effective collaboration among product, sales, marketing, and customer success teams drives successful product launches. Through hands-on projects and real-world case studies, students will practice applying research, storytelling, and data-driven decision-making to launch and promote products that resonate with diverse audiences and deliver measurable results.

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COMMLD 521: Digital Media Branding & Marketing

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- 2026-2027 | Winter 2027

MCDM Elective | 5 Credits
Mondays 1/4 – 3/15, 6:00pm – 9:50pm | Online

Course Description

This course is designed for students who will be utilizing their education and experience in the marketing career tracks or in leadership functions where an understanding of marketing is critical. The focus of the course will be on how to build a brand online or extend a legacy brand digitally by applying marketing fundamentals and examining how the most interesting and dynamic brands operate today. We will simulate brand management and building campaigns for real-world brands and explore how they reach target customers to meet objectives and participate in online culture. While online platforms have offered us many more opportunities and “shiny objects” to reach and communicate with customers, the fundamental marketing skills and theories don’t change much or quickly. Learning to be strategic about how to apply these fundamentals will allow students to remain flexible and relevant.

This class is a good match for students who:

• want to build expansive, omni-channel marketing strategies and tactics for brand building

• want to develop a CMO view of brand management and building marketing capabilities

• want to learn to create a portfolio-level brand plan

Honestly, this class felt like years of experience packed in ten weeks. As someone who has worked with marketers but has never taken any marketing courses before this one, my perception of branding and digital marketing evolved constantly week by week. Having theoretical and practical experience throughout this course truly gave me a well-rounded experience. —previous student, Digital Media Branding & Marketing

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COMMLD 530B: Foundations of Video Storytelling: Documentary

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- 2026-2027 | Winter 2027

Open Elective | 5 Credits
Thursdays 1/7 – 3/11, 6:00pm – 9:50pm | Room on Time Schedule

Course Description

Foundations of Documentary Storytelling is a workshop-based course where students get hands-on experience in building documentary stories from start to finish. This course supports and cultivates curiosity-driven mindset and the technical skill development needed to produce compelling documentary media for innovative marketing and media production. How do you take a compelling topic and make it an engaging story? Documentary Storytelling will teach you to take stories, characters and themes and craft them into stories by breaking chronology, building emotional resonance and cultivating buy-in so that we want to know what happens and get invested in the outcome. 

You will learn to craft character-driven nonfiction narratives while mastering the complete production process: research, story craft, video/audio styles and equipment use, field recording and interview techniques, film editing and constructing feedback. This course looks at both technical proficiency and ethical responsibility in documentary as well as exploring production roles, documentary industry standards, and the power dynamics inherent in capturing others’ stories. 

Students will create multiple documentary productions with various crew structures and independent work which will be paired with guest speaker workshops and film case studies from award-winning professional documentarians. You will leave the class with a strong understanding of what is required throughout a production process through holding a variety of production roles. Get ready to deep dive on building stories from the world around you and explore how documentary techniques can transform your skills and repertoire as a communications leader.

Note: This is one of the two foundational courses covering video storytelling. The other class is “COMMLD 531: Foundations of Video Storytelling.” Both will qualify you for taking Advanced Video Storytelling.

This Course is Ideal for Students Who:

Aspire to integrate relational storytelling methods into their communication leadership practice

Seek project-based learning experience

Want to develop transferable core storytelling and editing skills 

Are interested in understanding how documentary can successfully shift culture, policy and public opinion through storytelling

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© Copyright 2025 Department of Communication. University of Washington

© Copyright 2025 Department of Communication. University of Washington